A new round of the MOD’s Early Years Programme is now open! We want to fund practical, thoughtful projects that help children aged 0-5 years from serving armed forces families get the best possible start in life.
Since the programme began, we’ve awarded £3.8 million to almost 100 projects across the UK. These projects are already helping early years settings create stable, supportive environments for young children, often during times of change, uncertainty or separation.
Now, we’re inviting early years providers to apply for the next round of funding.
What is the Early Years programme?
Delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years Programme supports improvements to childcare provision and early learning for service children.
Service life can bring unique challenges such as frequent moves, disrupted routines, or long periods without a parent at home. These experiences can affect a child’s sense of security and wellbeing, particularly in their earliest years.
This programme seeks to help early years settings respond to those challenges by expanding available places, enhancing indoor and outdoor learning spaces, strengthening staff understanding of military family experiences, building local networks, and increasing engagement with families.
What kind of projects are we looking for?
We want to fund projects that make a clear, practical difference to the lives of young service children and their families. Your project might focus on:
- Increasing capacity so more service children can attend early years settings.
- Enhancing indoor and outdoor learning environments to support children’s educational development.
- Developing staff knowledge and skills through targeted training and resources focused on the needs of service families.
- Strengthening local partnerships, encouraging collaboration and resource‑sharing across settings and local authorities.
- Improving engagement with families, particularly during times when additional support may be needed.
If your project is rooted in local need and focused on improving the everyday experiences of service children aged 0-5 years – we want to hear from you!
Is this for me?
If you’re an early years setting with service children on roll, or a local authority, the Early Years programme can help you strengthen the support you offer service children and families and make a real difference.
Whether you are looking to create a calm, welcoming space for service children who have recently moved to the area, helping them settle and feel safe; or you’re looking to work together locally with other settings to share expertise and support service families consistently.
We’re looking for honest, well‑considered ideas that show you understand your community and want to improve outcomes for young service children.
Find out more
Full eligibility guidance and useful resources are available on our Early Years Programme page. Applications close at 12 noon on 15 July 2026.